Step 7 While holding Ctrl, click on the thumbnail of the skin layer (found in the layers palette) to make a selection. Now click on the ‘blends’ layer and using the same brush, this time with a blue colour, add shading for the skin.

Almost all of the shading for the image will be done on the ‘blends’ layer because it will save on file space and give you the option of altering the base colours. Repeat this procedure for each element of the image; clothes, hair, and so on.

Step 8 When you get elements that will overlap each other, such as the sash and the boots here, don’t waste time by trying to carefully shade while avoiding the other element, simply shade the boots as you would normally, then Ctrl click the layer the sash is on to select it, then on the ‘blends’ layer press Backspace to remove the shading from the sash selection.

Step 9 Because we locked the ‘Lines’ layer earlier, you can now colour the lines by simply using your brush, you will only affect the black pixels. Pick a dark red for the outline of the flames from the boots. Create a new layer below ‘Lines’ called ‘Flames’ and colour the flames orange.

Create a new layer called ‘Above Lines’ and switch to an airbrush set to mode: screen and 60 per cent opacity. Pick a light yellow and colour the inside of the flame, use repeated strokes to get a whiter colour. Use a hard edge brush for extra detailing in the flame.

Step 10 On the “Above Lines” layer press L and use the Polygonal Lasso tool to select an area that the left hand red light should bleed into while blocking off the area into each other when you use the airbrush for the lights glow.